Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The UN meets about North Korea. The United Nations Security Council will discuss reprisals following the hermit state’s latest nuclear test. President Donald Trump suggested that the US could stop trading with any country that is doing business with North Korea.
Angela Merkel dives into the diesel drama. Germany’s chancellor, who was slammed for not attending a crucial summit on the future of the embattled diesel-car industry in August, will meet with leaders from Germany’s most polluted cities (paywall). The government wants to avoid a total driving ban for diesel motors in these cities.
A fraud trial against former Tesco execs kicks off in London. Three former executives face charges of lying about the 98-year old company’s finances. The deception led to a £263 million ($340 million) profit overstatement in 2014, and caused a huge PR crisis.
Happy Labor Day! Markets in the US and Canada are closed for the holiday.
Over the weekend
North Korea may have tested its most powerful nuke yet. On Sunday, Pyongyang claimed it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb that could be placed on an intercontinental ballistic missile. The sixth North Korean nuclear test resulted in a tremor measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale. South Korea on Monday said North Korea is already preparing its next launch.
Merkel saw off her rival in Germany’s pre-election debate. In a TV debate with challenger Martin Schulz, the chancellor defended her former ‘open door’ refugee policy, and also said that Turkey shouldn’t become an EU member. Polls found Merkel to be the more convincing candidate.
China cracked down on digital currency. The central bank declared all initial coin offerings illegal, said they can’t be used as currency, and halted fundraising of digital tokens. Digital token sales have been on a tear this year, but they’re seen as a threat to China’s traditional banking system.
Trump said he’ll end DACA within six months. The president will terminate the Obama-era program that gives work permits to undocumented migrants who arrived in the US as children. Apple CEO Tim Cook is one of several Silicon Valley bosses who have spoken out in support of DACA.
Tens of thousands of Rohingya fled Myanmar for Bangladesh. Under attack from the Myanmar army, an estimated 80,000 members (paywall) of the Muslim minority were forced to flee from their homes in Rakhine State. Indonesia sent its foreign minister to Myanmar to urge the government to ease its military campaign against the Rohingya.
Cambodia’s opposition leader was arrested for treason. Kem Sokha was removed from his home on Sunday (paywall) on allegations that he plotted with foreigners to harm the nation. As part of its campaign to muzzle critics, the government shut down the English-language Cambodia Daily, which will publish its last edition today.
Quartz obsession interlude
Jenny Anderson on France’s revolutionary university for programmers. “Since there are no teachers, it is up to students to figure things out. Everything is graded by peers. Students ‘manage their time how they want.’ In education-speak, École 42 is both project-based learning and peer-to-peer learning, on steroids.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
America needs unions now more than ever. Middle-class anxiety, which fuels bitter politics, will not be resolved until workers have more leverage (paywall).
It’s time for Uber’s board to grow up. With a new CEO in place, the company should take a closer look at dysfunction within its board of directors.
The college hazing ritual must end. Hazing has claimed the life of at least one initiate every year since 1969 in the US—the vast majority in fraternities.
Surprising discoveries
South Asians in the US were once considered “white.” For most of the 20th century, the US census did not consider South Asians a distinct race.
There’s a black market for Instagram verification. Securing that little blue check can run you up to $15,000.
A burger at America’s first vegetarian drive-through has more calories than a Big Mac. “The Amy” burger at Amy’s Drive Thru clocks in at 770 calories and 40 grams of fat.
Ecstasy is a potential “breakthrough therapy.” If clinical trials of MDMA’s effect on PTSD are successful (and funded), the US Food and Drug Administration could fast-track its approval process.
There are only three fluent speakers of southern Africa’s original language. One of them, 84-year-old Katrina Esau, has spent 10 years teaching kids to speak Nluu out of a school in her home.
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